National Grandparents Day - post

National Grandparents Day

In 1978, President Jimmy Carter declared the first Sunday after Labor Day to be National Grandparents Day. Each year a presidential proclamation recognizes the day.

Child care programs use the observance to strengthen family engagement and intergenerational learning. To prepare staff for inclusive visits, consider the ChildCareEd trainings Coordinating with Community in Child Care Buy Now $24.00 and Bienvenido! Welcoming All Families Buy Now $16.00. These courses offer short checklists, clear communication strategies, and accessible activity adaptations. Staff can use them immediately to make visits respectful and developmentally appropriate.

Grandparents and children share bonds that benefit both generations. Well-planned celebrations support relationships, early learning, and family engagement.

What is the origin of National Grandparents Day?

National Grandparents Day began as a grassroots effort led by Marian McQuade of West Virginia and evolved into a national observance to honor older adults' role in families and communities. The campaign led to state proclamations and ultimately to federal recognition. The first Sunday after Labor Day was set as the official observance. Primary historical details are available from national Grandparents Day resources and the Legacy Project (linked below) for verification and classroom use.⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾

When is National Grandparents Day and why is it observed?

National Grandparents Day is observed on the first Sunday after Labor Day each year. The date was selected to honor older adults and to create a seasonal association with the later stages of life. Grassroots advocacy by Marian Lucille Herndon McQuade led to local and state proclamations. After sustained campaigning, the movement gained national recognition. Materials in the Teacher Resources and the Legacy Project provide primary-source context you can bring into the classroom.⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾

In classrooms and programs, this observance can be used as a short unit on family history, oral narrative, and civic awareness. Practical classroom uses include showing students primary-source documents or proclamations (use simplified excerpts), inviting visiting adults to do short, scaffolded oral-history interviews with small groups, and connecting family stories to literacy activities (shared reading and narrative re-telling). Keep activities developmentally appropriate: for infants and toddlers, focus on sensory, relational experiences; for preschoolers, use simple prompts and picture-based timelines.

Because this article names West Virginia and Virginia, providers should confirm visitor and volunteer rules with the appropriate state licensing agency. If you work in West Virginia, check guidance from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources' child care licensing unit. If you work in Virginia, check guidance from the Virginia Department of Social Services' child care licensing unit. Licensing rules and visitor-screening requirements vary by state and by program type. Verify requirements with your licensing specialist or employer before scheduling public events.

How can my child care program plan an inclusive Grandparents Day celebration?

Planning should prioritize accessibility, consent, cultural sensitivity, and alignment with learning goals. Steps to follow:

1. Clarify goals: decide whether the event aims to strengthen family relationships, showcase children's work, or support a curriculum focus such as oral history or literacy.
2. Invite broadly and inclusively: if some children do not have living or available grandparents, invite other meaningful adults—neighbors, older volunteers, foster family members—so every child has a special guest.
3. Obtain permissions and check policies: get written permission for visits and photo use, verify site-specific health and safety guidelines, and confirm any visitor background-screening requirements with your licensing agency or employer.
4. Assign roles and prepare guests: provide a short visitor guide and consider offering a brief orientation or a copy of the day's schedule so visiting adults know how they can participate (reading, crafting, or sharing memories).
5. Prepare staff and the classroom: plan short, developmentally appropriate activities, set up clear transition points, and ensure staff-to-child ratios are maintained.

For detailed planning strategies and community coordination, the ChildCareEd course Coordinating with Community in Child Care Buy Now $24.00 offers practical templates and checklists. See also the ChildCareEd article on how to meaningfully involve grandparents in daycare programs for step-by-step ideas.

What activities support intergenerational learning and early literacy?

Choose activities that scaffold children's developmental needs while inviting older adults to contribute knowledge and attention. Examples with learning intentions:

• Shared reading: pair a child with a visiting adult for dialogic reading—asking open-ended questions to build vocabulary and narrative skills (language, social-emotional engagement).
• Oral-history prompts: simple, scaffolded prompts ("What was your favorite game as a child?") encourage autobiographical storytelling and listening skills (social studies, oral language).
• Collaborative art projects: co-create family trees, memory boxes, or recipe cards that become classroom displays (fine motor, identity, family literacy).
• Music and movement: teach a song or dance from a grandparent's generation and pair it with discussion about traditions (culture, gross motor development).
• Intergenerational games: picture-matching, bingo, or adapted board games that support turn-taking and cognitive flexibility.

These approaches are described in ChildCareEd articles on intergenerational activities and connecting preschoolers with seniors, which provide activity scripts and adaptations for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

How do we handle permissions, health, and cultural considerations?

Document consent for participation and photography, provide clear arrival and departure procedures, and build accommodations for cultural or linguistic needs. When inviting older adults, ask about mobility, sensory needs, and language preferences so staff can prepare accessible seating, hearing support, or translation aides. The course Training Guide for Families from Diverse Language and Cultural Backgrounds Buy Now $24.00 and Bienvenido! Welcoming All Families Buy Now $16.00 can help staff plan culturally responsive, inclusive visits. Confirm any health-related policies with your licensing specialist or employer before public events.

Summary: How can Grandparents Day benefit children and programs?

A well-run Grandparents Day can reinforce family connections, support early language and social development, and extend community partnerships. Key takeaways for practice:

• Plan with inclusion in mind so every child has a meaningful guest.
• Prepare guests and staff with clear roles and a short orientation.
• Embed activities that intentionally support literacy, social-emotional learning, and cultural identity.
• Document permissions and confirm health and visitor policies ahead of time.